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Topic: How the R.I. Steel Guitar Association came about. |
Sam White R.I.P.
From:
Coventry, RI 02816
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Posted 6 Mar 2012 6:30 pm |
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Back in 1997 I had a heart attack. I was just starting to learn to play Steel guitar.My good friend John Jiacavelli told me to come with him and bring my Steel Guitar over to Manny Escobars home as Manny would take all his furniture out of his living room and about 5 to 6 of us would go to his home and jam together.After a few times of doing this Manny said to John Jaicavelli,Mike Tierney, and me why don't you guys start a Steel guitar Show.Well I asked John he said I have no idea what to do and mike said he did not have the time. Well this went on for about 3 to 4 months and I said to my wife Anna. Why don't you and I start a Steel Guitar Show.She said lets do it. I got a hold of Manny,John,Mike, Joe Ferri, and Tony Palmer and myself and we went to this place called Memories and Hank Walters band was playing there and Hank said it would be OK for us to play with the band. We all took turns playing with the band.Anna and I decided to get this place called Venechian Gardens and got Hanks band to play for us and we took donations at the door to pay the band.WE had a few more Steel players show up and it was a good time.In 1997 I joined the American legion Post 12 in North Kingstown R.I. and I found out that being a member I could get the hall once a year for free.In 1998 I chartered the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association I was the First President, Manny was the Vice President.Mike was the Treassuer and Anna was the Secertary. Our first Steel Show there and we had Steel Players from Maine,Vermont.Massachusetts,Conneticut, and Rhode Island there.It came to 25 Steel Guitar Players at this show and we took in a little over $1000.00 at the door.WE donated some of the money to the Gouslin Clinc in Boston MA. for children with Diabetes.This went on until 2002 when Tony came to me and said the Members want to have a Election.I said OK and Anna said I think Tony would be a good President and we all agreed.He ran it for three years and then he had other things to do so we had another Election in 2006 and I ran against Roger Trahan and he won and he ran it for 1 year.I had moved out of state but was going back for the meeting when possible.When Roger did not run again no one wanted to be President so Steve Pannone said I nominate Marcia Rodriqous who is President now and is doing a great job of keeping it going.I had a problem and I decided to leave the RISGA .I was not happy about leaving but I had to take a break.When I left there were a few more that left also and then they kept calling me or when they would see me they wanted me to start another Steel Guiar Association and I kept telling them no for about 5 to 6 months or so and they kept bugging me and I said if I do all the RISGA members will be mad at me and they are still my friends. Finally I said OK I will do it and I was not happy doing it this way.Well a few from RISGA got mad at me but I hope they will all for give me for my Big mistake.I was awarded a Plaque as Founder and supporter of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association.I'm now living in Willow Spring North Carolina and I run the Clayton Steel Guitar Jam and there is no Members and we all get along real fine.This is my Story and I'm sticking to it.This is how it all got to where it is today.
Sam White
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Dynalap lap 8 String Lap Steel Fender frontman 25B speaker changed Boss TU-12H Tuner.Founder and supporter of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association Founder of the New England Steel Guitar Association and the Greeneville TN Steel Jams and now founder of the North Carolina Steel Guitar Jams. Honorary member of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association,Member of The New England Steel Guitar Association.
Member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club,and member of Mid Atlantic Steel Guitar Association |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2012 9:54 pm
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Sam, thanks for your passion and promotion of steel guitar. I keep hoping I'll be off one Sat. when you have the Clayton jam.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Eddie Cunningham
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 7 Mar 2012 10:28 am Sam is " THE MAN "' !!
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| Hi Sam , No matter where you wind up steel guitar seems to florish !! "RISGA" will always love you no matter what !! You have done so much for steel guitar and the players wherever you happened to be !! My personal thanks for getting this old geezer involved !! Good luck in the future !! Eddie "C" AKA the old geezer |
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Sam White R.I.P.
From:
Coventry, RI 02816
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Posted 8 Mar 2012 6:13 am
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Thank You Clyde & Eddie I appreciate both of you and glad I have friends like you guys.I just can't help myself pushing the Steel Guitar.I love it's sound and I love sitting behind it and trying to play like others. It has been a long road and I'm getting there a little slow but sure.I have been sitting behind my Steel and watching Mickey Adams on Steeling on the Web and picking up a lot from him.
Sam White
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Dynalap lap 8 String Lap Steel Fender frontman 25B speaker changed Boss TU-12H Tuner.Founder and supporter of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association Founder of the New England Steel Guitar Association and the Greeneville TN Steel Jams and now founder of the North Carolina Steel Guitar Jams. Honorary member of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association,Member of The New England Steel Guitar Association.
Member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club,and member of Mid Atlantic Steel Guitar Association |
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Sam White R.I.P.
From:
Coventry, RI 02816
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Posted 10 Mar 2012 11:45 am
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Clyde we are all hopping you can get the 28TH of April off so you can come and enjoy a great day with all the great Steel players we have at the Jam.Take that day off.It starts at 10:30 in the morning and goes to 5:00 PM that gives you time to play in the morning and early afternoon and you can leave around 2:30 to 3:00 and have time to make a gig if you have one.Lots of the guys want to see you and ask about you.
Sam White
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Dynalap lap 8 String Lap Steel Fender frontman 25B speaker changed Boss TU-12H Tuner.Founder and supporter of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association Founder of the New England Steel Guitar Association and the Greeneville TN Steel Jams and now founder of the North Carolina Steel Guitar Jams. Honorary member of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association,Member of The New England Steel Guitar Association.
Member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club,and member of Mid Atlantic Steel Guitar Association |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 10 Mar 2012 1:13 pm
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Sam, I enjoyed meeting you when I played at the PSGA a few years back while heading out to visit my son in RI. Thanks for promoting the steel guitar!
Greg |
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